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Chronology of Laurence Lovette's criminal charges

Durham City Manager Patrick Baker provided a chronology of the events between a home break-in and Laurence Alvin Lovette's arrests for the murders of Duke University graduate student Abhijit Mahato and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill senior Eve Carson.

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Durham City Manager Patrick Baker provided a chronology of the events between a home break-in and Laurence Alvin Lovette's arrests for the murders of Duke University graduate student Abhijit Mahato and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill senior Eve Carson.

  • Nov. 7, 2007: A homeowner reports a burglary. A vehicle at the home is also reported to have been broken into.
  • Nov. 7-9: Police investigate, and a fingerprint identifies Lovette as a suspect.
  • Nov. 13: Lovette is charged with felonious breaking and entering, larceny and breaking and entering a motor vehicle.
  • Nov. 14: At his first court appearance, Lovette is assigned a public defender. He is unable to meet his $20,000 bond and remains in jail.
  • Jan. 16, 2008: A plea deal gives a suspended 45-day jail sentence and probation and is ordered to pay restitution. Terms of his probation include not engaging in criminal activity. The investigating officer is in court but not allowed to testify. Lovette is released from jail.
  • Jan. 18: Mahato is shot to death inside his off-campus apartment.
  • Feb. 2: Lovette is arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting a public officer. He posts a $2,500 bond and is released.
  • Feb. 4: Lovette is arrested for burglary and felony theft charges. He posts a $10,000 bond and is released.
  • March 5: Carson is shot to death after a robbery.
  • March 13: Lovette is arrested and charged with first-degree murder for Carson's death.
  • March 17: A grand jury indicts Lovette on first-degree murder charges in Mahato's death.

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